Jaws (Universal Studios Florida)

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Jaws

The ride entrance

Universal Studios Florida
Location	Orlando, Florida, USA
Coordinates	28°28′48″N 81°28′12″W / 28.479911°N 81.469867°W / 28.479911; -81.469867
Section	Amity Island / San Francisco
Status	Defunct
Operated	June 9, 1990 to January 2, 2012
Cost	$45,000,000
Replaced by	Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Statistics

Manufacturer

Ride & Show Engineering (Original)
Intamin

Type

Boat Ride

Jaws was a Boat Ride that previously operated at Universal Studios Florida. It was themed after the 1975 film Jaws.

History

Jaws opened on June 9, 1990, three days after the park opened for previews.^[1] The original incarnation of the ride was built by Ride & Show Engineering and included a unique element where the shark would "grab" the boat in its jaws and spin it around in a large circle, as well as a graphic ending where the shark would explode after being shot.^[2]^[3] The attraction was plagued with problems and was later closed to be rebuilt by Intamin. It reopened in October 1993.^[4] The original boats were re-purposed on Backlot River Tour at MGM Grand Adventures in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.^[5]

Universal Orlando Resort announced on December 2, 2011 that the attraction alongside the entire Amity area would be closed permanently to make room for "an exciting, NEW, experience."^[6]^[7] The attraction and area was entirely demolished, and its site became home to the expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The hanging shark statue in the Town Square remains as a tribute to the ride and is a popular photo op at the park.

Similar rides

A clone of this ride still operates at Universal Studios Japan in Konohana-ku, Osaka, Japan. It opened with the park on March 30, 2001.

References

↑ Weber, Amy (1990-07-01). "Universal studios Florida opens". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
↑ "Park taken for a ride?". The Stuart news. 1990-08-23. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
↑ "1990 Universal Studios Florida - The ORIGINAL JAWS RIDE Training Video!". YouTube. Tom Croom. 2012-01-03. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
↑ Strother, Susan G. (1993-10-17). "Universal Studios Florida hopes sharks will take bite out of Jaw's ride's troubles". Chicago Tribune. p. 260. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
↑ Bastrup, Rick. Adventures of a Theme Park Designer. Rivershore Press. pp. 43–46. ISBN 978-1-960881-00-7.
↑ "Universal Orlando pulling plug on long-running Jaws ride".
↑ "Ride Announcement". Universal Orlando Resort. 2 December 2011. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.

Present

Coasters

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Revenge of the Mummy Trolls TrollerCoaster

Attractions

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem E.T. Adventure Hogwarts Express Men in Black: Alien Attack The Simpsons Ride Transformers: The Ride 3D

Former

Attractions

Disaster: A Major Motion Picture Ride... Starring YOU!Jaws Kongfrontation

[:"0"-1] Weber, Amy (1990-07-01). "Universal studios Florida opens". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-06-30.

[:"1"-2] "Park taken for a ride?". The Stuart news. 1990-08-23. Retrieved 2025-03-05.

[3] "1990 Universal Studios Florida - The ORIGINAL JAWS RIDE Training Video!". YouTube. Tom Croom. 2012-01-03. Retrieved 2024-09-18.

[4] Strother, Susan G. (1993-10-17). "Universal Studios Florida hopes sharks will take bite out of Jaw's ride's troubles". Chicago Tribune. p. 260. Retrieved 2024-12-29.

[5] Bastrup, Rick. Adventures of a Theme Park Designer. Rivershore Press. pp. 43–46. ISBN 978-1-960881-00-7.

[6] "Universal Orlando pulling plug on long-running Jaws ride".

[7] "Ride Announcement". Universal Orlando Resort. 2 December 2011. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.

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